QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri has announced the restoration of the status of Gwadar as the winter capital of the province and directed all provincial departments to set up their offices in the port city.

Presiding over the 16th meeting of the Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) governing body here on Wednesday, he said the decision had been taken in view of the importance of Gwadar as a future economic hub of the country.

Former chief minister Nawab Aslam Raisani had in 2011 declared Gwadar as the winter capital of Balochistan and shifted many government departments to the city.

It was decided that the secretariat of the winter capital would be set up in the District Provincial Complex where offices of all departments would be shifted.

CM Zehri said the decision would help expedite the ongoing development in Gwadar and ensure early completion of administrative works.

The board approved administrative, financial and other measures after reviewing the GDA’s proposed projects. While approving the provision of land for a 300MW power project in Gwadar, the board decided that the GDA would also recommend the company for local partnership in profit after providing the land.

The chief minister stressed the need for early completion of development projects and creating conducive atmosphere to attract investors.

The meeting was attended by provincial minister Dr Hamid Khan Achakzai, MPA Essa Noori, Chief Secretary Saifullah Chattah, Additional Chief Secretary for Development and Planning Omar Babar, Finance Secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani, the district chairman, GDA chairman and other officials.

Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2017